By Jonas Terrado
Game Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. – NLEX vs Magnolia
(Magnolia leads series 3-2)
The Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok know that a blown lead from recent history could repeat itself as they take a crack at ending the NLEX Road Warriors’ historic run and claim the elusive finals berth tonight in Game 6 of their best-of-seven PBA Philippine semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Magnolia, which took Sunday’s fifth game with an 87-78 victory, goes for the kill at 7 p.m. for a chance at ending a string of semifinal exits and arrange a showdown with four-peat seeking San Miguel in another seven-game title affair.
But the Hotshots remain wary that their 3-2 lead is no assurance of such destination, given how a similar situation in last season’s Philippine Cup semis when they failed to close out Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Games 6 and 7.
Coach Chito Victolero is hopeful the lessons of that defeat, as well as the following semis setbacks to San Miguel in the Commissioner’s Cup and Meralco in the Governors’ Cup will be used to help Magnolia finally get over the hump.
“We’ll try to close it out siguro. But again, we need to have a consistent mental toughness, a consistent effort sa kung anu man ang ginagawa namin ngayon,” said Victolero, who is on his second season as Hotshots bench tactician.
Determined to reach the finals for injured captain Marc Pingris, Magnolia hopes to get most of its core players anew to get past an NLEX team fighting for survival and missing guard Kevin Alas due to a right ACL tear sustained in Game 5 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Alas suffered the injury while driving to the lane 40 seconds into the game. Though he initially thought that his injury wasn’t as severe, Alas was told by Dr. Raul Canlas that he would need a lengthy recovery.
In winning Game 5, the Hotshots had to use a decisive 16-4 run behind a variety of players, namely Mark Barroca, PJ Simon, Ian Sangalang, Rome dela Rosa and Paul Lee.
“We need to learn from our experiences last season,” said Sangalang, who posted 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in Game 5. “Talagang focus lang kami. Hindi kami nagcelebrate after (Game 5), tahimik lang kami kasi gusto namin manalo next game. Hindi namin pwede ibigay sa kanila. Gusto namin kuhanin yung game.
“So ipupush namin kung anong magagawa namin, kung anong kaya naming gawin, gagawin namin. We will start on defense,” added Sangalang.
NLEX, on the other hand, was left ruing not only the fourth quarter struggles but also what coach Yeng Guiao thought were inconsistent calls that went in Magnolia’s favor.
“I did not get mad at the players because I did not feel that it was a loss that is their fault. Di nila fault yun,” said Guiao. “Lumaban nga sila kahit kulang kami. Pero mahirap makabwelo nga kung masyadong maraming bad calls going against us.”
Rookie Kiefer Ravena is expected to carry the fight for the Road Warriors together with JR Quiñahan, Alex Mallari, Larry Fonacier, Raul Soyud and Michael Miranda.